U.S. patent application number 11/011166 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for system comprising a terminal system, an access multiplexer and a network.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALCATEL. Invention is credited to Cautereels, Paul, Constant Fredricx, Francois Pierre, Corneel Dequeker, Hans Maurice Felix, Gyselings, Tim, Kiss, Lajos, Renaux, Patrick Albert Paul, Vandaele, Peter, Vermeiren, Tim.
Application Number | 20050190793 11/011166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34486476 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050190793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Constant Fredricx, Francois Pierre
; et al. |
September 1, 2005 |
System comprising a terminal system, an access multiplexer and a
network
Abstract
Systems for transmitting information from terminal systems (1)
via access multiplexers (3) comprising virtual forwarder systems
(5) to networks are made less complex by inserting at the terminal
systems (1) virtual forwarder internet protocol addresses
(35,64,66) into destination fields of internet protocol headers for
heading the information and by inserting destination internet
protocol addresses (36,37,38,65,67) into routing fields of the
internet protocol headers. Both the terminal systems (1) and the
access multiplexers (3) should be made capable of dealing with
internet protocol headers of the internet protocol version-4 or the
internet protocol version-6 or higher, which comprise a destination
field and a routing field. The destination internet protocol
addresses (36,37,38,65,67) in the routing fields allow
distinguishment between different classes of services and/or
applications used by the terminal system (1) simultaneously,
without the access multiplexers (3) being obliged to unpack (parts
of) the information and to detect (parts of) the information at
higher layers.
Inventors: |
Constant Fredricx, Francois
Pierre; (Gent, BE) ; Gyselings, Tim; (Deurne,
BE) ; Vermeiren, Tim; (Zele, BE) ; Corneel
Dequeker, Hans Maurice Felix; (Herent, BE) ;
Vandaele, Peter; (Gentbrugge, BE) ; Cautereels,
Paul; (Hingene, BE) ; Renaux, Patrick Albert
Paul; (Brussels, BE) ; Kiss, Lajos; (Wilrijk,
BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
ALCATEL
|
Family ID: |
34486476 |
Appl. No.: |
11/011166 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/474 ;
370/537 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 29/12801 20130101;
H04L 29/06 20130101; H04L 69/22 20130101; H04L 61/35 20130101; H04L
12/2896 20130101; H04L 61/6004 20130101; H04L 29/12 20130101; H04L
61/2592 20130101; H04L 29/1233 20130101; H04L 61/25 20130101; H04L
29/12783 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/474 ;
370/537 |
International
Class: |
H04J 003/02; H04J
003/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 16, 2003 |
EP |
03293174.3 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. An access multiplexer (3) for use in a system for transmitting
information from a terminal system (1,2) via the access multiplexer
(3) to a network coupled to the access multiplexer (3), which
access multiplexer (3) comprises a virtual forwarder system (5),
wherein the access multiplexer (3) further comprises: a sender (82)
for sending a virtual forwarder internet protocol address
(35,64,66) defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder system
(5) to the terminal system (1,2).
12. An access multiplexer (3) processor program product for use in
an access multiplexer according to claim 11, wherein said program
product comprises: instructions stored in a tangible medium which,
when executed, performs the a sending function for sending said
virtual forwarder internet protocol address to said terminal
system.
13. A system for transmitting information from a terminal system
(1,2) via an access multiplexer (3) to a network coupled to the
access multiplexer (3), which access multiplexer (3) comprises an
access multiplexer according to claim 11, wherein said terminal
system (1,2) comprises: a receiver (92) for receiving the virtual
forwarder internet protocol address (35,64,66); and an inserter
(91d) for inserting the virtual forwarder internet protocol address
(35,64,66) into a destination field of an internet protocol header
for heading the information and for inserting a destination
internet protocol address (36,37,38,65,67) into a routing field of
the internet protocol header, which destination internet protocol
address (36,37,38,65,67) defines a destination in the network.
14. System as defined in claim 13, characterised in that the
information comprises first application information and second
application information, with the destination internet protocol
address comprising a first destination internet protocol address
(36,65) defining a first destination in the network and comprising
a second destination internet protocol address (38,67) defining a
second destination in the network, and with the internet protocol
header comprising a first internet protocol header for heading the
first application information and comprising a second internet
protocol header for heading the second application information,
which first destination internet protocol address (36,65) is to be
inserted into the first internet protocol header and which second
destination internet protocol address (38,67) is to be inserted
into the second internet protocol header.
15. System as defined in claim 14, characterised in that the first
destination comprises a first edge router (6) and in that the
second destination comprises a second edge router (7), with the
virtual forwarder internet protocol address (35) being inserted
into the destination field of the first internet protocol header
and into the destination field of the second internet protocol
header.
16. System as defined in claim 15, characterised in that the
information further comprises third application information, which
first application information and which third application
information are destined for a first service provider and which
second application information is destined for a second service
provider, with the destination internet protocol address further
comprising a third destination internet protocol address (37)
defining a third destination in the network, which third
destination comprises a third edge router (8), and with the
internet protocol header further comprising a third internet
protocol header for heading the third application information,
which third destination internet protocol address (37) is to be
inserted into the third internet protocol header, and with the
virtual forwarder internet protocol address (35) being inserted
into the destination field of the third internet protocol
header.
17. System as defined in claim 14, characterised in that the
virtual forwarder system (5) comprises a first virtual forwarder
(5a) and a second virtual forwarder (5b), with the virtual
forwarder internet protocol address (64,66) comprising a first
virtual forwarder internet protocol address (64) defining the first
virtual forwarder (5a) and comprising a second virtual forwarder
internet protocol address (66) defining the second virtual
forwarder (5b), which first virtual forwarder internet protocol
address (64) is to be inserted into the destination field of the
first internet protocol header and which second virtual forwarder
internet protocol address (66) is to be inserted into the
destination field of the second internet protocol header, and with
the first destination comprising a first application at a first
service provider and with the second destination comprising a
second application at a second service provider.
18. Terminal system (1,2) for use in a system for transmitting
information from the terminal system (1,2) via an access
multiplexer (3) to a network coupled to the access multiplexer (3),
which access multiplexer (3) comprises a virtual forwarder system
(5), characterised in that the terminal system (1,2) comprises a
receiver (92) for receiving a virtual forwarder internet protocol
address (35,64,66) defining at least a part of the virtual
forwarder system (5); and an inserter (91d) for inserting the
virtual forwarder internet protocol address (35,64,66) into a
destination field of an internet protocol header for heading the
information and for inserting a destination internet protocol
address (36,37,38,65,67) into a routing field of the internet
protocol header, which destination internet protocol address
(36,37,38,65,67) defines a destination in the network.
19. Terminal system (1,2) processor program product for use in a
terminal system according to claim 18, wherein said terminal system
(1,2) processor program product comprises instructions stored in a
tangible medium which when executed perform the following
functions: a receiving function for receiving a virtual forwarder
internet protocol address (35,64,66) defining at least a part of
the virtual forwarder system (5); and an inserting function for
inserting the virtual forwarder internet protocol address
(35,64,66) into a destination field of an internet protocol header
for heading the information and for inserting a destination
internet protocol address (36,37,38,65,67) into a routing field of
the internet protocol header, which destination internet protocol
address (36,37,38,65,67) defines a destination in the network.
20. Method for transmitting information from a terminal system
(1,2) to a network in a system according to claim 13, said method
comprising the steps of: sending, from the access multiplexer (3)
to the terminal system (1,2), a virtual forwarder internet protocol
address (35,64,66) defining at least a part of the virtual
forwarder system; receiving, at the terminal system (1,2), the
virtual forwarder internet protocol address (35,64,66); and
inserting, at the terminal system (1,2), the virtual forwarder
internet protocol address (35,64,66) into a destination field of an
internet protocol header for heading the information and inserting
a destination internet protocol address (36,37,38,65,67) into a
routing field of the internet protocol header, which destination
internet protocol address (36,37,38,65,67) defines a destination in
the network.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a system for transmitting
information from a terminal system via an access multiplexer to a
network coupled to the access multiplexer, which access multiplexer
comprises a virtual forwarder system.
[0002] Examples of such terminal systems are (combinations of)
personal computers (like laptops or desktops), modems (like
digital-subscriber-line modems), and telecommunication terminal
systems (like (screen) phones, wireless terminal systems or mobile
terminal systems). Example of such access multiplexers are
digital-subscriber-line access multiplexers.
[0003] A prior art system is of common general knowledge, and,
although claimed to be ready for the internet protocol version-6,
still being used in an internet protocol version-4 environment. The
terminal system sends information like one or more packets, one or
more messages or one or more packetised messages to the access
multiplexer. A packet, message or packetised message comprises a
header with a layer-2 destination address like a MAC (Medium Access
Control) address. The access multiplexer comprises an Ethernet
bridge for selecting a proper part of the virtual forwarder system
in dependence of the layer-2 destination address. The selected
proper part of the virtual forwarder system is for example coupled
to a service provider and forwards the information to this service
provider, to allow a user at the terminal system to visit a
corporate intranet site and/or a public banking portal site.
[0004] The prior art system is disadvantageous, inter alia, due to
being of a relatively high complexity: At the access multiplexer,
incoming upstream information is supplied to the Ethernet bridge,
which detects (parts of) the information, then the information is
supplied to the virtual forwarder system, which detects (parts of)
the information, before the information can be forwarded in an
upstream direction. Incoming downstream information is supplied to
the virtual forwarder system, which detects (parts of) the
information, then the information is supplied to the Ethernet
bridge, which detects (parts of) the information, before the
information can be forwarded in a downstream direction. Further, to
be able to perform extended routing control the access multiplexer
must unpack the information to a large extent, which is also of a
relatively high complexity.
[0005] It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to provide a
system as defined in the preamble which is of a relatively low
complexity.
[0006] The system according to the invention is characterised in
that the access multiplexer further comprises
[0007] a sender for sending a virtual forwarder internet protocol
address defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder system to
the terminal system; and in that the terminal system comprises
[0008] a receiver for receiving the virtual forwarder internet
protocol address; and
[0009] an inserter for inserting the virtual forwarder internet
protocol address into a destination field of an internet protocol
header for heading the information and for inserting a destination
internet protocol address into a routing field of the internet
protocol header, which destination internet protocol address
defines a destination in the network.
[0010] By introducing the sender in the access multiplexer and by
introducing the receiver in the terminal system, the terminal
system is informed of the virtual forwarder internet protocol
address. The terminal system further receives the destination
internet protocol address either from the sender in the access
multiplexer, or for example through browsing. Through the inserter,
the virtual forwarder internet protocol address is inserted into
the destination field of the internet protocol header of the
information and the destination internet protocol address is
inserted into the routing field of the internet protocol header.
Because of the presence of the virtual forwarder internet protocol
address in the destination field of the internet protocol header,
the terminal system can send its information directly to the proper
part of the virtual forwarder system, without an Ethernet bridge
being necessary. The destination internet protocol address in the
routing field of the internet protocol header allows
distinguishment between different classes of services used by the
terminal system simultaneously, without the access multiplexer
being obliged to unpack (parts of) the information and to detect
(parts of) the information at higher layers (through unpacking). As
a result, the system according to the invention is of a relatively
low complexity.
[0011] It should be noted that, to function properly, both the
terminal system and the access multiplexer should be made capable
of dealing with internet protocol headers according to the internet
protocol version-4 (in which case the routing field for example
corresponds with a strict source routing option field or a loose
source routing field), or with internet protocol headers of a
higher level than the internet protocol version-4, like for example
the internet protocol version-6 (in which case the routing field
for example corresponds with a routing extension field).
[0012] An embodiment of the system according to the invention is
characterised in that the information comprises first application
information and second application information, with the
destination internet protocol address comprising a first
destination internet protocol address defining a first destination
in the network and comprising a second destination internet
protocol address defining a second destination in the network, and
with the internet protocol header comprising a first internet
protocol header for heading the first application information and
comprising a second internet protocol header for heading the second
application information, which first destination internet protocol
address is to be inserted into the first internet protocol header
and which second destination internet protocol address is to be
inserted into the second internet protocol header.
[0013] In this case, the terminal system is contacting different
applications. The first and second destination internet protocol
addresses in the routing fields of the first and second internet
protocol headers allow distinguishment between the different
applications used by the terminal system simultaneously, without
the access multiplexer being obliged to unpack the information and
to detect the information at higher layers.
[0014] An embodiment of the system according to the invention is
characterised in that the first destination comprises a first edge
router and in that the second destination comprises a second edge
router, with the virtual forwarder internet protocol address being
inserted into the destination field of the first internet protocol
header and into the destination field of the second internet
protocol header.
[0015] In this case, different edge routers are used for the
different applications, but theoretically only one virtual
forwarder in the virtual forwarder system is required (due to only
one virtual forwarder internet protocol address being used). In
praxis, more than one virtual forwarder in the virtual forwarder
system may still be used.
[0016] An embodiment of the system according to the invention is
characterised in that the information further comprises third
application information, which first application information and
which third application information are destined for a first
service provider and which second application information is
destined for a second service provider, with the destination
internet protocol address further comprising a third destination
internet protocol address defining a third destination in the
network, which third destination comprises a third edge router, and
with the internet protocol header further comprising a third
internet protocol header for heading the third application
information, which third destination internet protocol address is
to be inserted into the third internet protocol header, and with
the virtual forwarder internet protocol address being inserted into
the destination field of the third internet protocol header.
[0017] In this case, the terminal system contacts the first
application via the first edge router and the third application via
the third edge router, which first and third application are
offered by the first (network) service provider, and the terminal
system contacts the second application via the second edge router,
which second application is offered by the second (network) service
provider. Again, different edge routers are used for the different
applications, but theoretically only one virtual forwarder in the
virtual forwarder system is required. In praxis, more than one
virtual forwarder in the virtual forwarder system may still be
used.
[0018] An embodiment of the system according to the invention is
characterised in that the virtual forwarder system comprises a
first virtual forwarder and a second virtual forwarder, with the
virtual forwarder internet protocol address comprising a first
virtual forwarder internet protocol address defining the first
virtual forwarder and comprising a second virtual forwarder
internet protocol address defining the second virtual forwarder,
which first virtual forwarder internet protocol address is to be
inserted into the destination field of the first internet protocol
header and which second virtual forwarder internet protocol address
is to be inserted into the destination field of the second internet
protocol header, and with the first destination comprising a first
application at a first service provider and with the second
destination comprising a second application at a second service
provider.
[0019] In this case, the first and second destination internet
protocol addresses in the routing fields of the first and second
internet protocol headers define the different applications
in/behind the edge routers. Therefore, different virtual forwarders
in the virtual forwarder system have been introduced, and different
virtual forwarder internet protocol addresses must be sent to the
terminal system and must be inserted by the terminal system into
the destination fields of the different internet protocol
headers.
[0020] In the prior art, a terminal system that has different
applications running from different service providers needs to
receive distinct internet protocol addresses, one per provider.
During a configuration of the terminal system, it also receives the
corresponding internet protocol addresses of the corresponding
virtual forwarders of the access multiplexer. The terminal system
then deduces the corresponding Ethernet addresses via signalling
messages. The information is then sent to the appropriate virtual
forwarder by means of its Ethernet address. According to the
invention, the terminal system needs only to receive a single
internet protocol address for all service providers, and after
reception of the internet protocol addresses of the different
virtual forwarders of the access multiplexer, the application can
select which service provider (and hence which virtual forwarder)
to send the information to by using the corresponding virtual
forwarder internet protocol address in the information header (i.e.
putting the virtual forwarder internet protocol address in the
destination field and putting the destination internet protocol
address in the routing field). As a side benefit this also
eliminates the need for an Ethernet switch in front of the virtual
forwarders in the access multiplexer. This way of selecting the
service provider on basis of layer-3 internet protocol addresses is
more straightforward and obvious for the terminal system than
selecting on basis of layer-2 Ethernet addresses. The single
internet protocol address can now be assigned to the terminal
system by the access provider instead of one of the service
providers. The address could be based on e.g. geographical
location. This offers a competitive advantage to access providers;
they can manage their own internet protocol addressing realm for
their subscribers and this in an effective way, allowing the access
provider to offer services on its own servers, while still being
able to provide simultaneous connections to different service
providers.
[0021] The invention also relates to an access multiplexer for use
in a system for transmitting information from a terminal system via
the access multiplexer to a network coupled to the access
multiplexer, which access multiplexer comprises a virtual forwarder
system.
[0022] The access multiplexer according to the invention is
characterised in that the access multiplexer further comprises
[0023] a sender for sending a virtual forwarder internet protocol
address defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder system to
the terminal system.
[0024] The invention also relates to an access multiplexer
processor program product for use in a system for transmitting
information from a terminal system via an access multiplexer to a
network coupled to the access multiplexer, which access multiplexer
comprises a virtual forwarder system.
[0025] The access multiplexer processor program product according
to the invention is characterised in that the access multiplexer
processor program product comprises
[0026] a sending function for sending a virtual forwarder internet
protocol address defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder
system to the terminal system.
[0027] The invention also relates to a terminal system for use in a
system for transmitting information from the terminal system via an
access multiplexer to a network coupled to the access multiplexer,
which access multiplexer comprises a virtual forwarder system.
[0028] The terminal system according to the invention is
characterised in that the terminal system comprises
[0029] a receiver for receiving a virtual forwarder internet
protocol address defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder
system; and
[0030] an inserter for inserting the virtual forwarder internet
protocol address into a destination field of an internet protocol
header for heading the information and for inserting a destination
internet protocol address into a routing field of the internet
protocol header, which destination internet protocol address
defines a destination in the network.
[0031] The invention also relates to a terminal system processor
program product for use in a system for transmitting information
from a terminal system via an access multiplexer to a network
coupled to the access multiplexer, which access multiplexer
comprises a virtual forwarder system.
[0032] The terminal system processor program product according to
the invention is characterised in that the terminal system
processor program product comprises
[0033] a receiving function for receiving a virtual forwarder
internet protocol address defining at least a part of the virtual
forwarder system; and
[0034] an inserting function for inserting the virtual forwarder
internet protocol address into a destination field of an internet
protocol header for heading the information and for inserting a
destination internet protocol address into a routing field of the
internet protocol header, which destination internet protocol
address defines a destination in the network.
[0035] The invention also relates to a method for transmitting
information from a terminal system via an access multiplexer to a
network coupled to the access multiplexer, which access multiplexer
comprises a virtual forwarder system.
[0036] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that the method comprises the steps of
[0037] sending, from the access multiplexer to the terminal system,
a virtual forwarder internet protocol address defining at least a
part of the virtual forwarder system;
[0038] receiving, at the terminal system, the virtual forwarder
internet protocol address; and
[0039] inserting, at the terminal system, the virtual forwarder
internet protocol address into a destination field of an internet
protocol header for heading the information and inserting a
destination internet protocol address into a routing field of the
internet protocol header, which destination internet protocol
address defines a destination in the network.
[0040] Embodiments of the access multiplexer according to the
invention and of the access multiplexer processor program product
according to the invention and of the terminal system according to
the invention and of the terminal system processor program product
and of the method according to the invention correspond with the
embodiments of the system according to the invention.
[0041] The invention is based upon an insight, inter alia, that
internet protocol headers according to the internet protocol
version-4 comprise a destination field and comprise a strict source
routing option field or a loose source routing field and that
internet protocol headers of a higher level than the internet
protocol version-4, like for example the internet protocol
version-6, comprise a destination field and comprise a routing
extension field, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that
the virtual forwarder internet protocol address is to be inserted
into the destination field of the internet protocol header and the
destination internet protocol address is to be inserted into the
routing field of the internet protocol header.
[0042] The invention solves the problem, inter alia, to provide a
system which is of a relatively low complexity, and is further
advantageous, inter alia, in that the destination internet protocol
address in the routing field of the internet protocol header allows
distinguishment between different classes of services used by the
terminal system simultaneously, without the access multiplexer
being obliged to unpack (parts of) the information and to detect
(parts of) the information at higher layers.
[0043] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent
from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments(s) described
hereinafter.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows in block diagram form a prior art system
comprising a prior art access multiplexer and a prior art terminal
system;
[0045] FIG. 2 shows in block diagram form a system according to the
invention comprising an access multiplexer according to the
invention and a terminal system according to the invention;
[0046] FIG. 3 shows in block diagram form a system according to the
invention comprising an access multiplexer according to the
invention and a terminal system according to the invention;
[0047] FIG. 4 shows in block diagram form an access multiplexer
according to the invention; and
[0048] FIG. 5 shows in block diagram form a terminal system
according to the invention.
[0049] The block diagram of the prior art system as shown in FIG. 1
comprises a prior art terminal system 100,200 comprising for
example a terminal 100 and a modem 200 coupled to a prior art
access multiplexer 300. The access multiplexer 300 comprises an
Ethernet bridge 4 and a virtual forwarder system 5 comprising a
first virtual forwarder 5a coupled to a first edge router 6 and a
second virtual forwarder 5b coupled to a second edge router 7.
[0050] The terminal system 100,200 sends information to a network
comprising the edge routers 6,7. This information for example
comprises one or more packets, one or more messages, or one or more
packetised messages, each headed by a header. In case of the
terminal system 100,200 visiting two different destinations
simultaneously, the information is to be divided into first
application information (destined for a first destination) and
second application information (destined for a second destination).
For the first application information, the header comprises at
layer-2 an Ethernet source field 21 and an Ethernet destination
field 22, and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source
field 11 and an internet protocol destination field 12. For the
second application information, the header comprises at layer-2 an
Ethernet source field 21 and an Ethernet destination field 23, and
comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field 11 and an
internet protocol destination field 13.
[0051] The first application information arrives at the Ethernet
bridge 4 and is then supplied to the first virtual forwarder 5a and
converted such that, between the access multiplexer 300 and the
first edge router 6, the header still comprises at layer-3 an
internet protocol source field 11 and an internet protocol
destination field 12, but comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source
field 24 and an Ethernet destination field 25. The second
application information arrives at the Ethernet bridge 4 and is
then supplied to the second virtual forwarder 5b and converted such
that, between the access multiplexer 300 and the second edge router
7, the header still comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol
source field 11 and an internet protocol destination field 13, but
comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source field 24 and an Ethernet
destination field 26. Summarising, at layer-3, the fields are
filled in as follows: 11=address A, 12=address X and 13=address Y,
and at layer-2, 21=address A, 22=address VF1, 23=address VF2,
24=address AM, 25=address ER1 and 26=address ER2. Thereby, A
indicates terminal system 100,200, X indicates the first
destination, Y indicates the second destination, VF1 indicates the
first virtual forwarder 5a, VF2 indicates the second virtual
forwarder 5b, AM indicates the access multiplexer 300, ER1
indicates the first edge router 6, and ER2 indicates the second
edge router 7.
[0052] To be able to avoid the Ethernet bridge 4 and to reduce the
complexity of the system, according to the invention, at layer-3,
things are changed as follows as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0053] The block diagram of the system according to the invention
as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a terminal system 1,2 according to the
invention comprising for example a terminal 1 and/or a modem 2
coupled to an access multiplexer 3 according to the invention. The
access multiplexer 3 no longer comprises any Ethernet bridge, but
comprises a virtual forwarder system 5 comprising one or more
virtual forwarder not shown and coupled to the first edge router 6
and to the second edge router 7 and to a third edge router 8.
[0054] The terminal system 1,2 sends information to a network
comprising the edge routers 6,7,8. This information for example
comprises one or more packets, one or more messages, or one or more
packetised messages, each headed by a header. In case of the
terminal system 1,2 visiting three different destinations
simultaneously, the information is to be divided into first
application information (destined for a first destination
comprising the first edge router 6) and second application
information (destined for a second destination comprising the
second edge router 7) and third application information (destined
for a third destination comprising the third edge router 8). The
first application information and the third application information
are supplied to a first service provider using the first edge
router 6 and the third edge router 8. The second application
information is supplied to a second service provider using the
second edge router 7.
[0055] For the first application information, the header comprises
at layer-2 an Ethernet source field 51 and an Ethernet destination
field 52, and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source
field 31 and an internet protocol destination field 35 and an
internet protocol routing field 36. Originally, at layer-3, the
header comprises an internet protocol source field 31 and an
internet protocol destination field 32, whereby the terminal system
1,2 inserts the content for the internet protocol destination field
35 and the content for the internet protocol routing field 36 as
described in detail for FIGS. 4 and 5. For the second application
information, the header comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source
field 51 and an Ethernet destination field 52, and comprises at
layer-3 an internet protocol source field 31 and an internet
protocol destination field 35 and an internet protocol routing
field 38. Originally, at layer-3, the header comprises an internet
protocol source field 31 and an internet protocol destination field
34, whereby the terminal system 1,2 inserts the content for the
internet protocol destination field 35 and the content for the
internet protocol routing field 38 as described in detail for FIGS.
4 and 5. For the third application information, the header
comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source field 51 and an Ethernet
destination field 52, and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol
source field 31 and an internet protocol destination field 35 and
an internet protocol routing field 37. Originally, at layer-3, the
header comprises an internet protocol source field 31 and an
internet protocol destination field 33, whereby the terminal system
1,2 inserts the content for the internet protocol destination field
35 and the content for the internet protocol routing field 37 as
described in detail for FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0056] The first application information arrives at the access
multiplexer 3 and is then supplied to the virtual forwarder system
5 and converted such that, between the access multiplexer 3 and the
first edge router 6, the header comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet
source field 53 and an Ethernet destination field 54 and comprises
at layer-3 an internet protocol source field 31 and an internet
protocol destination field 39 and an internet protocol routing
field 42. At the other side of the first edge router 6, the header
comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field 31 and an
internet protocol destination field 32 and an internet protocol
routing field 45. The second application information arrives at the
access multiplexer 3 and is then supplied to the virtual forwarder
system 5 and converted such that, between the access multiplexer 3
and the second edge router 7, the header comprises at layer-2 an
Ethernet source field 53 and an Ethernet destination field 56 and
comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field 31 and an
internet protocol destination field 41 and an internet protocol
routing field 44. At the other side of the second edge router 7,
the header comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field
31 and an internet protocol destination field 34 and an internet
protocol routing field 47. The third application information
arrives at the access multiplexer 3 and is then supplied to the
virtual forwarder system 5 and converted such that, between the
access multiplexer 3 and the third edge router 8, the header
comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source field 53 and an Ethernet
destination field 55 and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol
source field 31 and an internet protocol destination field 40 and
an internet protocol routing field 43. At the other side of the
third edge router 8, the header comprises at layer-3 an internet
protocol source field 31 and an internet protocol destination field
33 and an internet protocol routing field 46.
[0057] At layer-3, the fields are filled in as follows: 31=address
A, 32=address X, 33=address Y, 34=address Z, 35=address VF,
36=address ER1 and address X, 37=address ER3 and address Y,
38=address ER2 and address Z, 39=address ER1, 40=address ER3,
41=address ER2, 42=address VF and address x, 43=address VF and
address y, 44=address VF and address z, 45=address VF and address
ER1, 46=address VF and address ER3, 47=address VF and address ER2,
and at layer-2, 51=address A, 52=a default address, 53=address AM,
54=address ER1, 55=address ER3 and 56=address ER2. Thereby, A
indicates terminal system 1,2, X indicates the first destination, Y
indicates the second destination, Z indicates the third
destination, VF indicates the virtual forwarder system 5, AM
indicates the access multiplexer 3, ER1 indicates the first edge
router 6, ER2 indicates the second edge router 7, and ER3 indicates
the third edge router 8.
[0058] In FIG. 2, the access multiplexer 3 sends the virtual
forwarder internet protocol address VF to be filled in into the
fields 35 and defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder
system 5 to the terminal system 1,2 and sends the destination
internet protocol addresses ER1,ER2,ER3 to be inserted into the
fields 36,37,38 and defining destinations in the network. The
terminal system 1,2 receives these addresses from the access
multiplexer 3, and further receives, for example through browsing,
the destination internet protocol addresses X,Y,Z to be inserted
into the fields 36,37,38 and defining destinations in the
network.
[0059] The block diagram of the system according to the invention
as shown in FIG. 3 comprises a terminal system 1,2 according to the
invention comprising for example a terminal 1 and a modem 2 coupled
to an access multiplexer 3 according to the invention. The access
multiplexer 3 no longer comprises any Ethernet bridge, but
comprises a virtual forwarder system 5 comprising a first virtual
forwarder 5a coupled to the first edge router 6 and a second
virtual forwarder 5b coupled to the second edge router 7.
[0060] The terminal system 1,2 sends information to a network
comprising the edge routers 6,7. This information for example
comprises one or more packets, one or more messages, or one or more
packetised messages, each headed by a header. In case of the
terminal system 1,2 visiting two different destinations
simultaneously, the information is to be divided into first
application information (destined for a first destination at/via
the first edge router 6) and second application information
(destined for a second destination at/via the second edge router
7). The first application information is supplied to a first
service provider using the first edge router 6. The second
application information is supplied to a second service provider
using the second edge router 7.
[0061] For the first application information, the header comprises
at layer-2 an Ethernet source field 71 and an Ethernet destination
field 72, and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source
field 61 and an internet protocol destination field 64 and an
internet protocol routing field 65. Originally, at layer-3, the
header comprises an internet protocol source field 61 and an
internet protocol destination field 62, whereby the terminal system
1 inserts the content for the internet protocol destination field
64 and the content for the internet protocol routing field 65 as
described in detail for FIGS. 4 and 5. For the second application
information, the header comprises at layer-2 an Ethernet source
field 71 and an Ethernet destination field 72, and comprises at
layer-3 an internet protocol source field 61 and an internet
protocol destination field 66 and an internet protocol routing
field 67. Originally, at layer-3, the header comprises an internet
protocol source field 61 and an internet protocol destination field
63, whereby the terminal system 1,2 inserts the content for the
internet protocol destination field 66 and the content for the
internet protocol routing field 67 as described in detail for FIGS.
4 and 5.
[0062] The first application information arrives at the access
multiplexer 3 and is then supplied to the first virtual forwarder
5a and converted such that, between the access multiplexer 3 and
the first edge router 6, the header comprises at layer-2 an
Ethernet source field 73 and an Ethernet destination field 74 and
comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field 61 and an
internet protocol destination field 62 and an internet protocol
routing field 68. The second application information arrives at the
access multiplexer 3 and is then supplied to the second virtual
forwarder 5b and converted such that, between the access
multiplexer 3 and the second edge router 7, the header comprises at
layer-2 an Ethernet source field 73 and an Ethernet destination
field 75 and comprises at layer-3 an internet protocol source field
61 and an internet protocol destination field 63 and an internet
protocol routing field 69.
[0063] At layer-3, the fields are filled in as follows: 61=address
A, 62=address X, 63=address Y, 64=address VF1, 65=address X,
66=address VF2, 67=address Y, 68=address VF1 and 69=address VF2,
and at layer-2, 71=address A, 72=a default address, 73=address AM,
74=address ER1 and 75=address ER2. Thereby, A indicates terminal
system 1, X indicates the first destination, Y indicates the second
destination, VF1 indicates the first virtual forwarder 5a, VF2
indicates the second virtual forwarder 5b, AM indicates the access
multiplexer 3, ER1 indicates the first edge router 6 and ER2
indicates the second edge router 7.
[0064] In FIG. 3, the access multiplexer 3 sends the virtual
forwarder internet protocol addresses VF1,VF2 to be filled in into
the fields 64,66 and defining at least a part of the virtual
forwarder system 5 to the terminal system 1,2. The terminal system
1,2 receives these addresses from the access multiplexer 3, and
further receives, for example through browsing, the destination
internet protocol addresses X,Y to be inserted into the fields
65,67 and defining destinations in the network.
[0065] The block diagram of the access multiplexer 3 according to
the invention as shown in FIG. 4 comprises a processor system 81
coupled to a sender-receiver 82, to a coupler 83 and to a virtual
forwarder system 5. The sender-receiver 82 is internally coupled
via the coupler 83 to the virtual forwarder system 5 and is
externally coupled to the terminal system 1,2. The virtual
forwarder system 5 is externally coupled to the edge routers
6,7(,8). The processor system 81 comprises for example a processor
81a, a memory 81b, a consultor 81c, an inserter 81d and a detector
81e.
[0066] The block diagram of a terminal system 1,2 according to the
invention as shown in FIG. 5 comprises a sender-receiver 92
externally coupled to the access multiplexer 3 and internally
coupled to a processor system 91, which is further coupled to a
man-machine-interface 93, a video card 94 and an interface 95 (like
for example a memory interface for interfacing additional memories
for example in case of the terminal system 1,2 corresponding with a
terminal 1, or like for example a network/coupling interface for
interfacing a further network/coupling or a processor system
interface for interfacing a further processor system both for
example in case of the terminal system 1,2 corresponding with a
modem 2). The processor system 91 comprises for example a processor
91a, a memory 91b, a detector 91c and an inserter 91d.
[0067] In case of a user at the terminal system 1,2 wishing to
visit a corporate intranet site (first application) and a public
banking portal site (second application) simultaneously, the
terminal system 1,2 sends signalling info (initialisation info)
common in the art to the access multiplexer 3. The detector 81e
detects this signalling info and instructs the consultor 81c to
retrieve a virtual forwarder internet protocol address VF,VF1,VF2
defining at least a part of the virtual forwarder system 5 and to
retrieve a destination internet protocol address ER1,ER2,ER3
defining a destination in the network. This retrieving is done
common in the art and for example at an authentication server not
shown and coupled to the access multiplexer 3. The virtual
forwarder internet protocol address VF,VF1,VF2 and the destination
internet protocol address ER1,ER2,ER3 are sent to the terminal
system 1,2. For example through browsing, the terminal system 1,2
further receives the destination internet protocol addresses X,Y,Z.
The inserter 91d inserts the virtual forwarder internet protocol
address VF,VF1,VF2 into a destination field of an internet protocol
header and inserts the destination internet protocol address
ER1,ER2,ER3,X,Y,Z into a routing field of the internet protocol
header. This internet protocol header is arranged for heading the
information to be sent from the terminal system 1,2 to the network
for making the visiting of the sites possible. In the access
multiplexer 3, the detector 81e detects (parts of) the header and
instructs the inserter 81d to insert for example the contents
common in the art for the fields 39,40,41,42,43,44,53,54,55,56 and
62,63,68,69,73,74,75 as described for FIGS. 2 and 3 etc.
[0068] Because of the presence of the virtual forwarder internet
protocol address in the destination field of the internet protocol
header, the terminal system 1 can send its information directly to
the proper part of the virtual forwarder system 5, without an
Ethernet bridge 4 being any longer necessary. The destination
internet protocol address in the routing field of the internet
protocol header allows distinguishment between different classes of
services and/or between different applications used by the terminal
system 1,2 simultaneously, without the access multiplexer 3 being
obliged to unpack (parts of) the information and to detect (parts
of) the information at higher layers. As a result, the system
according to the invention is of a relatively low complexity. To
function properly, both the terminal system 1,2 and the access
multiplexer 3 should be made capable of dealing with internet
protocol headers according to the internet protocol version-4 (in
which case the routing field for example corresponds with a strict
source routing option field or a loose source routing field), or
with internet protocol headers of a higher level than the internet
protocol version-4, like for example the internet protocol
version-6 (in which case the routing field for example corresponds
with a routing extension field).
[0069] Any destination may comprise a final destination and/or may
comprise an intermediate destination. Any terminal system 1,2 may
be a final subscriber unit like a personal computer (a laptop or a
desktop etc.) or a telecommunication terminal system (a (screen)
phone, a wireless terminal system or a mobile terminal system etc.)
or may be an intermediate subscriber unit (like a modem etc.) or
may be a combination thereof. The access multiplexer 3 may be a
digital-subscriber-line access multiplexer or may be an other
network-unit etc.
[0070] In the processor systems 81,91, the modules 81a-e,91a-d may
be hardware, software or a mixture of both, whereby two or more
modules per processor system 81,91 can be integrated without
departing from the scope of this invention.
[0071] The expression "for" in for example "for sending", "for
receiving" and "for inserting" etc. does not exclude that other
functions are performed as well, simultaneously or not. The
expressions "P coupled to Q" and "a coupling between P and Q" and
"coupling/couples P and Q" etc. do not exclude that an element R is
in between P and Q. The expressions "S comprises T" and "S
comprising T" etc. do not exclude that an element U is
comprised/included as well. The terms "a" and "an" do not exclude
the possible presence of one or more pluralities.
* * * * *